Twas the holiday season when all things bring joy
in the house was a stirring by one sleepy boy.

Down the hall he came
with a clatter
I sprang from my bed and called
"what's the matter?"
"Just me mom, got to void, then I'll test".
"Steven, you're too loud, don't be such a pest".

He reached for his kit, feeling no dread
while visions of Christmas danced in his head
he sang as he drew back the syringe with glee
while viles and swabs sat perched on his knee.

He painted his leg
like Martha had shown him
and injected himself
that life giving potion

He wrote in his book
all he had done
washed his face, combed his hair,
and 'round he spun

He ate his breakfast and drank his juice
then off to the tree lot to get a blue spruce

At home all was ready...the tree goes right there
the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

The day was spent trimming, baking, and cooking
then we sat by the fire, all of us looking.

The moon had risen high in the sky,
we knew that Christmas soon would be neigh.
Steve wrote in his notebook all he ate...
his dosage, his testing, and even his weight.

We put on our night clothes,
and put out the cats...
and all settled down for a long winters nap.

When in the night sky there was such a light
we sprang from our beds in fear and in fright
When what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a tiny red slay and flying reindeer
With a little old driver so lively and quick
We all exclaimed, " my God it's St. Nick"
So up to the house top swiftly he flew
A sleigh full of toys and Santa Clause too.

And then in a twinkling, we heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
We drew in our heads and then turned around
And down the chimney he came with a bound.

And then in a twinkling, we heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
We drew in our heads and then turned around
And down the chimney he came with a bound.

He smiled when he saw us and set down his pack
The bundle of toys flung down from his back.

" So you must be Steve", he said with great joy,
" I heard that you are a nice, special boy."
His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cheery.
"Come talk to me boy, 'bout things wondrous and dandy
'cause I know for you there are no sweets and candy."

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
He said, " you'll have a good life, nothing to dread."
"You've had to learn early, sooner than most,
That your health is a guest, your body the host."
"With exercise, diet and your doctors care,
all you can be child, is there,just there."
"You'll have a broad face full of kindness and caring,
And your chest will be full from loving and sharing."
" You'll be strong and healthy, gentle, and kind,
And that is the best gift that I leave behind."

He spoke no more, but went straight to his work,
He filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
He gave a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
We heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
" Merry Christmas to all , and to all a good night."

Copyright Patricia Polacco 1982